Compliance with Cybersecurity Frameworks

Cyber Risks in Food & Beverage

The Food & Beverage industry is increasingly targeted by cybercriminals due to its reliance on Industrial Control Systems (ICS), supply chain networks, and third-party integrations. A successful attack can disrupt production, delay deliveries, and even jeopardise food safety.


Regulatory Pressure: Strengthening Cybersecurity Compliance

To combat escalating cyber threats, NIS2, GDPR, and the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) impose stricter cybersecurity requirements on public sector organisations. These regulations mandate robust authentication, access control, and incident response plans to ensure the security of government operations and citizen services. Governments must comply with these standards to prevent cyber incidents, protect national security, and avoid costly service disruptions.

Notable Cyberattacks in the Food & Beverage Industry

Ransomware Attack on a UK Food Supplier with some red colors-1

2022: Ransomware Attack on a UK Food Supplier

A large ready-meal company supplying hospitals and care homes faced a cyberattack that disrupted its logistics systems. Deliveries were halted as the company lost access to customer details, highlighting the vulnerability of food supply chains.

Meat Processing company was attacked by Ransomware by hackers It must show it is an incident by cyber criminal not just a dish-1

2021: Meat Processing Giant Hit by Ransomware

One of the world’s largest meat processing companies suffered a ransomware attack, forcing it to shut down operations in multiple countries. The company ultimately paid an $11 million ransom to regain control, underscoring the financial and operational risks of inadequate cybersecurity.

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2017: NotPetya Attack Cripples Global Food Manufacturer

A multinational food company was one of many businesses affected by the NotPetya malware, leading to losses exceeding $100 million. The attack disabled production and shipping systems for weeks, showing how cyber threats can cause long-term financial and reputational damage.

Benefits of OT Auth Solutions

To meet regulatory requirements and protect against cyber threats, advanced authentication solutions are essential for securing critical systems in the Food & Beverage sector. swIDch’s OT authentication solutions—PLC OTAC and OTAC Trusted Access Gateway (TAG)—provides strong, seamless, and scalable security for industrial environments.

 

Why OT Authentication is Essential for the Food & Beverage Industry

security in general

Regulatory Compliance

Helps businesses meet NIS2 and other cybersecurity regulations by ensuring secure access control and authentication.
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Strong Security Without Network Dependency

PLC OTAC generates dynamic authentication codes that work even in offline environments, eliminating the risk of replay attacks and unauthorised access.
user setting

Seamless Integration

OTAC Trusted Access Gateway (TAG) enables secure authentication for both on-premises and remote access, ensuring only authorised personnel can interact with critical systems.
usability

Scalability & Flexibility

swIDch’s OT authentication solutions are lightweight, making them adaptable across various food industry applications—from factory automation to supply chain security.
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How OT Auth solutions work

Traditional authentication methods rely on network-based communication, making them vulnerable to cyber threats such as credential theft, replay attacks, and system hijacking. swIDch’s OT authentication solutions introduce a more secure method using dynamic, unidirectional authentication codes.

 

How It Enhances Security in Food Production & Distribution:
🔹 Eliminates the risk of stolen credentials—each authentication code is unique and non-reusable.
🔹 Works without a network connection, ensuring authentication remains secure even in isolated environments.
🔹 Requires no additional hardware, simplifying deployment while strengthening cybersecurity.

 

By adopting swIDch’s OT authentication solutions, Food & Beverage companies can ensure continuous operations, compliance with regulations, and protection against evolving cyber threats.

Discover OT Authentication Solutions

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Food & Beverage Security FAQs

  • It secures supply chains, industrial control systems, and logistics from cyber threats that could disrupt production and shipments.

  • It ensures only authorised personnel can access distribution networks, protecting against unauthorised interference.

  • Yes, they can be deployed in factories, storage facilities, and logistics platforms without disruption.

 

Award Highlights

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Hot Company in PLC Security at the 2025 Global InfoSec Awards
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Hot Company in Operational Technology (OT) Security at the Top InfoSec Innovator Awards 2024
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Cybersecurity Breakthrough Award 2022_swIDch
"Transaction Security Solutions of the Year" 2022 CyberSecurity Breakthrough Award
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Best IoT/IIoT Security Solution 2022 SC Awards
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2022 Gold Winner at 14th Annual 2022 Golden Bridge Business and Innovation Awards
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2021 Cybertech 100
2021 Cybertech 100
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2020 Cybertech category winner of EUROPAS 2020 Award
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CyberSecurity Breakthrough Award 2020 4MP
“Authentication Solution of the Year” CyberSecurity Breakthrough Award 2020
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